MLB Trade Deadline: 5 trades Royals should make

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Apr 20, 2015; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Edinson Volquez (36) delivers a pitch against the Minnesota Twins in the first inning at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports /

5. Trade away Edinson Volquez

If this team is going to sell off any piece it should be Volquez. The veteran starter was surprisingly more consistent than Johnny Cueto in the Royals postseason run last year, but all that should mean to the Royals is that his name offers value to contenders with pitching issues.

The market for a starting pitcher is rough right now. Drew Pomeranz is already off the board and the Braves are adamant that Julio Teheran is going nowhere. It is now saturated and the options for needy teams are few and far between. That said, a lot of teams are going to be looking for an arm. Teams like the Rangers, Orioles, Blue Jays, Dodgers, and Marlins will all be looking for any trusted arms to eat some of these late August innings.

That has been what Volquez has brought for his entire career. He can give you six or seven and can give you a chance to win the game. Teams will look around and see a lot of options with question marks and will bet on Volquez.

That said, the Royals do not really need Volquez. Danny Duffy and Ian Kennedy seem to be the two most consistent pitchers in the rotation and both are signed longer than Volquez who will be a free agent after this year. The Royals are already in a hole with him, they can either ride him into the postseason as a third or fourth option and see nothing, or they can actually get a return for him.

It seems like a smart idea and they should at least see if any teams are willing to offer anything decent for him.

Next: 4. Yunel Escobar

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